Benzaldehyde → 2-(Methylsulanylmethyl)-3-phenylprop-2-enal

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Reaction Steps

Into a 100 ml three necked reaction flask equipped with stirrer, thermometer and addition funnel is charged a solution of 0.5 grams of potassium hydroxide in 10 ml methanol. Benzaldehyde (10.0 grams) is added as the mixture is cooled to 5°-10° C. Methional (10.0 grams) is then added dropwise while maintaining the reaction temperature at 5°-10° C. The mixture is then allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred for a period of 1 hour. Most of the solvent is evaporated at reduced pressure and the mixture is partitioned between water and ether. The organic layer is washed several times with water and once with saturated brine. The solvent is evaporated leaving a yellow oil which is distilled to give 6.1 grams product, boiling point 104°-111° C. (0.4 mm Hg).

Provenance & Evidence